Suspend NYSC Camps for two Years, Osinbanjo Committee Tells FG

By Ruth Richard

The economic sustainability committee (ESC) led by Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo has called on the federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.

In its report presented to President Mohammedu Buhari last week and gathered by Century Newsfront, the committee recommended the consideration for suspending the NYSC camps for 24months. “The immediate focus in the education sector is to address the disruption caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all level of education”. The report reads, “practical steps will be taken to minimize disruption to learning, utilizing technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either on-line or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificate (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression. In a similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercise for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment. This will ensure that there is no backlog in the National Service Placement pipeline”

It could be recalled that in March, NYSC camps were shut following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in Nigeria. A statement released by NYSC at the time reads, “the corps members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith, while they shall be invited back to the orientation camp when the situation improves”.

Recently, last week to be precise, the scheme submitted a proposal for reopening of it’s camps nationwide. However, it is unclear if the Federal Government will take this portion of the Economic Sustainability Committee’s recommendation.

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